Kansas: Bill to void local gun laws passes Senate, headed to House

A bill that would overturn city and county gun laws, expand open carry, and speed up NFA transfers passed the Kansas Senate Wednesday by a 34-2 vote.

The legislation would end the patchwork series of gun and knife laws in the Sunflower State that have been established by local governments and replace them with only the state’s statutes. Furthermore, it would expand open carry provisions and prohibit municipalities from implementing local ordinances relating to the transportation of firearms.

“Local control in many instances is best,” said Sen. Clark Shultz, (R-McPherson), who carried the bill during Senate floor debate. “In this case, we’re talking about a fundamental right to bear arms.”

The legislation, SB 447, takes aim at a number of issues in its expansive text. Besides allowing increased open carry opportunities in the state, it also would prevent cities and counties from regulating firearms sales or how guns are stored or transported. While local governments could still prohibit open carry in public buildings of they wish, they would be limited in their powers outside of that scope.